ISLAMABAD: Elections in Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa do not seem possible on the announced dates of April 30 and May 28 respectively.
Informed sources said that the Election Commission of Pakistan did not find a single federal or provincial body ready for the elections due to several reasons including law and order situation and financial and administrative problems. Both the judiciary and the army are not ready to do what the Election Commission expects from them.
Sources said that consultations with all stakeholders have been completed and now the commission is just waiting for the decision of the KP cabinet after which it will likely refer the case to the Supreme Court which has ruled in both provinces. It was ordered to be held within the elections. 90 days
Sources say that from what the commission has heard from various stakeholders so far, it does not seem possible to hold elections in a free, fair, transparent and peaceful manner on April 30 in Punjab and on May 28 in KP. An ECP source said that if the constitution requires elections within 90 days of the dissolution of the assembly, the same constitution mandates the commission to ensure fair, free, transparent elections in a peaceful manner.
According to the sources, the commission has so far contacted Finance Ministry, Home Division, ISI, IB, CTD, Chief Secretaries and IGs of Punjab and KPK Police, KPK Governor, Defense Ministry and DGMO Directorate. GHQ has been consulted. These sources said that none of the above considered the situation suitable for holding elections as per the announced dates.
The Finance Ministry has told the ECP that it has no funds for the elections due to the dire economic situation facing the country. The Ministry of Home Affairs, ISI, IB etc. have informed the ECP of the serious security threats under which the peaceful conduct of the elections cannot be ensured.
Punjab Chief Secretary and Inspector General of Police, these sources said that not only the law and order situation is a possible obstacle to holding the elections on April 30, but also said that in view of the severe shortage of Punjab police personnel. Nazar 1.1 policemen can be posted in each police station. The ECP was told that there is a shortage of three lakh personnel in the Punjab Police.
The KP government has far more serious concerns about the security and law and order situation. Representatives of the provincial government told the commission that there has been an increase in terrorism in the province in recent months and there are intelligence reports of terrorist activities that need to be investigated to prevent and restore peace in the province.
ECP sources said that the KP government had requested that it would give its final statement to the commission this week after holding a cabinet meeting.
The Ministry of Defense and the DGMO apprised the Commission about the security reasons at the borders and within the country and the duties of the armed forces to prevent terrorism, particularly in KP and Balochistan. Defense officials told the ECP that army personnel could not be left on static duty at every polling station due to defense and security commitments. At most, it is said that the armed forces may be available as a quick response force but here again the government has to decide whether the defense forces should compromise their core duties to play the role proposed in the elections.
Regarding the role of judicial officers and returning officers and deputy returning officers, ECP sources said that the Lahore High Court has already refused to provide election duty to district court judges.
Sources say that the commission will review the entire situation after the final decision from the KP cabinet and may approach the Supreme Court with its report on the possibility of elections as per the announced dates.
